Adrian has an eye for a bargain

It’s a safe bet if young Melton harness racing owner-driver Adrian Pace spots another bargain buy, his father Joe certainly won’t be standing in his way.

“Adrian was on the lookout about 18 months back for a suitable horse to drive at the trials to get his licence. He had one for a bit but sold that and then just liked everything about a pacer in Queensland that was advertised for sale,” Joe said.

“It was real cheap-probably the cheapest I’ve ever had anything to do with. We’ve paid huge amounts of money for horses from New Zealand and now the fella that Adrian picked out has eight wins and eight places from about 20 starts!”

And the impressive way Wheres Seggy (Hurrikane Kingcole-Spirit Of Fun (McArdle) sprinted to the line to win the $20,000 DNR Logistics Pace at Melton last Saturday night for super-talented Ballarat driver James Herbertson, there’s definitely a few more wins around the corner for part owners Adrian and grandfather Vic Pace.

“We got him early in 2020 and he showed us that he had gate speed and could stick on. We were pretty happy and the plan was for Adrian to win a few in the country and then get rid of him,” Joe said.

“He won a couple of trials and then at his first race start he was very stiff because he couldn’t get clear. All of a sudden, he just seemed to settle in and loved racing. He then won five of his next nine starts,” he said.

“Early on the horse was a bit one dimensional and had to lead to win. So I thought well that’s okay in the easier races, but might not work when he gets down in the grades.”

Pace said they then started to teach Wheres Seggy to come from behind.

“We’ve used this technique successfully over the years. Even with the babies we train them to sit up. You’ve just got to teach them,” he said.

Joe piloted Wheres Seggy to his first two wins when the gelding started racing in Victoria. Further wins were registered by Luke Tabone, Joe and William Pace, while Adrian “joined the party” with country victories at Cranbourne and Melton last year.

The Pace stable later decided to spell the pacer and after several months in the paddock, he returned to racing last weekend.

“The race conditions suited him nicely because the barrier draw was on stakemoney won in their last four starts. So we drew the three alley and after leading up, James decided to take a sit and then used the sprint lane. It was a good first up race,” Joe said.

Wheres Seggy won by 2.2m from Captain Confetti (Glenn Douglas), with Kissmelvis (Mark Pitt), a further metre away in third spot.

“Adrian has 10 to go before he can drive at metro meetings-and he can’t wait,” Joe said.

“When I suggested to him we chuck ‘Herbie’ onto the horse, he was quick to agree. James has been a great mentor for Adrian-feedback from him weighs more in gold than what I can give!

“There’s no doubt Adrian idolizes him but that’s a good thing because James is without doubt a great role model. He watches what Adrian does and goes out of his way to help us.

“Adrian is a very patient driver. He’s so calm and relaxed as nothing fazes him-not like me! He only needs a little more killer instinct, but that will come as he learns the craft.”

The Pace stable at Harkness, near Melton, has upped the ante in recent years.

“In the last two years we’ve gone from being a hobby to a business,” Joe said.

“Last year was the very best I’ve had since becoming involved in the sport, although the one before that was another good one,” he said.

“We recently purchased three from New Zealand and they look pretty special. There’s 10 in work, but my heart dropped the other day when I checked on the blackboard and saw that there’s a similar number out spelling that are due back in work next month.”

Pace said Supreme Dominator, a winner of the Decron Cranbourne Pacing Cup late last year, was having a two-week spell.

Supreme Dominator (Bettors Delight-Galleons Supreme (Christian Cullen) has the impressive record of 13 wins and 20 placings from 53 starts for over $275,000 in stakes.

“We are really looking forward to this season with him. He will be aimed at the Ballarat and Bendigo Pacing Cups along with the Hunter Cup,” Pace said.

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink